Repeated viewings have steadily raised our opinion of Portlock, who moves 14 spots from No. 94 to No. 80. The 5-foot-9 Rapid City Stevens forward has become more confident and assertive while maintaining the selfless approach that makes her so valuable. Strong and physical, Portlock battles for defensive rebounds, contests shots and creates second-chance opportunities with her work on the offensive glass. She’s definitely more versatile than a traditional interior player. Portlock moves intelligently without the ball, sees the floor well and can step onto the perimeter to shoot or facilitate offense as a contemporary point forward. Her combination of versatility, dependability and steady improvement makes her an easy player to appreciate the more you watch.

Every time I’ve watched Portlock, I come away appreciating her game a little more. She’s the type of player who rarely demands attention but consistently helps her team win. Lexi runs the floor hard, rebounds well, defends with purpose, and seems to have a knack for making the next smart play. Her style isn’t flashy, but it’s undeniably effective. I understand she’s made a lot progress over the past year. She’s become more confident, more assertive, and increasingly involved as games unfold. Strong, physical, and selfless, Portlock moves well without the ball, sees the floor, and gives her teammates exactly what they need when they need it.